Junction-box



(N0 Modell) 6 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. J. MOEVOY.

JUNCTION BOX. a No. 502,083. Patented July 25, 1893.

d. "HUI I I @100 MQF dX Ind 6 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. J. McEVOY. JUNCTIONBOX.'

in Model.)

N0. 502,083. Patented July 25, 1893.

B F R S MW 0 D S a S 1. m H V d .M

WITNESSES 6 'Sheets--Sheet 4.

(N-0 Model.)

B. J. MOEVOY.

' JUNUTION-BOX.

Patented July 25, 1893.

D. M V

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-S'heet 5. E. J, MGEVO'Y.

JUNCTION BOX.

No. 502,083. 7 Patented July 25, 1893.

Mu "HM: Q Q

Mhlh I INVENTOR:

WITNES H' I (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6. E. J. MOEVOY.

JUNCTION BOXu Patented July 26, 1893.

flgi r,

WITNESS INVENTOR:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. MCEVOY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-IIALF TO THE\VILLIAM ORAMP 85 SON-S SHIP AND ENGINE BUILDING COMPANY, OF

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVAN IA.

JUNCTION-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,083, dated July 25,1898.

Application filed January 3, 1393- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. MCEVOY, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have in ventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Junction-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of moisture-proof boxes which areemployed in connection with systems of electric conductors, or Wiring,to receive the terminals of main and branch wires, and within whichconnection is made between said main and branch wires.

The invention comprehends improvements in both singlebranch anddouble-branch junction boxes, and is of especial applicability inconnection with the wiring of ships, although it is applicable tosystems of wiring employed in and connected with buildings.

In the wiring of ships, to which, as stated, my invention has especialrelation, the junction boxes heretofore employed to receive theterminals of the various main and branch wires, have been of cubical orquadrangular form, and employed in connection with moldings which haveincased or inclosed and protected the wires and been caused to abutagainst the flat ends or sides of the boxes, the joints having been madeas close and perfect as possible, but having been open or buttjoints,the extremities of the moldings having been squared-01f topresent plane surfaces correspondent respectively with the planesurfaces of the sides and ends of the boxes. By reason of the constantvibration to which ships at sea are subject, it has been found that thejoints between the moldings and the boxes, no matter how securely theboxes on the one hand and the moldings on the other may have beensecured to the ship, have worked loose, and that the wires have becomeeither broken at the joints or shaken loose and disconnected within theboxes.

It is the object of my invention to prevent this working of the joints,with its attendant disadvantages, and, in addition, to improve theconstruction of the base blocks with which the junction boxes have beenprovided, and of the conductors or wire-connecting Serial No. 457,035.(No model.)

bars with which the base-blocks have been equipped, and which serve toelectrically connect particular wires,in such manner that in theapplication, connection, disconnection,or removal, of the wires andconnecting bars, all chance of short-circuiting will be avoided.

In the accompanying drawings I have represented, and hereinafterldescribe, preferred embodiments of my invention, the subjectmatter whichI claim as novelbeing definitely specified in the claiming clauses.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view ofasingle-branchjunction box embodying myimprovements, and shown in itsapplication to its moldings; the cover of the box and the cover stripsof the moldings being supposed to be removed in order the more clearlyto exhibit the construction of the box and the mode of its applicationto the moldings. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the base-blockrepresented within the junction box of Fig. ].,reInoved therefrom. Fig.3 is a viewin perspective of the connecting bridge bars represented inFig.1 asin place within the base-block, removed therefrom, but sorelatively disposed with regard to pictorial representation thattheymaybe readilyimagined as in place within the aforesaid block as shown inperspective in Fig. 2,the representation of the grooves or channelswithin which they would obscure were they actually drawn in place. Fig.4is a view in perspective of the double-branch junction box representedin Figs.9 and 10, removed from its moldings. Fig. 5 is a view inperspective of the end portion of a molding of the characteremployed,for instance, in connection with the junction box represented in Fig.at. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a double-branch junction boxembodying my improvements in a slightly modified form, and shown asapplied in connection with moldings suitably recessed to receive it.Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a double-branch junction box embodying myimprovements in a slightly modified form, and shown as applied inconnection with moldings from which the cover strips are supposed to beremoved. Fig. 8 isaview similar to Fig. 7, of a single-branch junctionbox, of the character, for instance, of that shown in Fig.1, therecessing of the moldings being, however, slightly different, and theircover strips being omitted. Fig. 9 is a top plan View of a double-branchjunction box, such, for instance, as that represented in Fig. 4, thecover being removed, and the moldings uncovered or sectioned to exhibitthe mode of their application. Fig. 10 is a central,ve1'tical,longitudinal, sectional elevation through the box and moldings of Fig.9, in the plane of the dotted line 000c on said figure, and sight beingtaken in the direction of the arrows upon said line.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

It is proper to explain that I have, for clearer illustration, omittedfrom the junction boxes represented the fuse devices which are usual inboxes of this class, and which may, of ccurse, be applied in anypreferred manner in connection with boxes embodying my improvements.

Referring, first, to those features of my invention which are concernedwith the prevention of the working of the joints between the box and itsmoldings, it is proper to explain that I accomplish the desirable resultby so correspondently forming and recessing the box and its moldings,and relatively applying them, that they are respectively adapted andcaused to overlap, or take the one within the other, somewhat after themanner, for instance, of the respective members of a tenon joint, arabbet joint, an angle joint, or other kindred lap joint.

Referring, first, tothe double-branch junction boxes represented in Fig.iz-The body of the box is designated by the letter A, and is shown as ofquadrangular form and as provided with lateral wings or extensions,designated A A A A, respectively of quadrangular form, and respectivelyprojecting from the respective sides of the body integral with whichthey actually or in effect are. Portions of the main wires B B and ofthe branch wires 0 C", are shown as respectively protruding from thewings A A and A A In Fig. 5 is represented the end portion of a moldingD, having a cover strip (Z, and a longitudinal wire-receiving channel orrecess d of such dimensions as to conform it to snugly receive withinit, for instance, the wing A of the box of Fig. 4, and also to receiveand inclose the main wires 13 E which protrude from said wing.

- Obviously when the wing A is introduced within the recess of themolding, and the end face of said molding caused to abut against thatside of the body of the box from which said wing springs, a solid andtight joint will be formed between the box and the said molding, whichwill prevent any possible working of either with respect to the other,and assure the maintenance of the in'closed wires without injury orliability of disconnection.

Regarding the construction of the box rep I resented in Fig. 4, and justdescribed,in

which the wings or extensions of the body are of less vertical andtransverse dimensions than those of the respective sides from which saidwings respectively spring,in the light of an extremeillustration of theconstruction of the box with lateral extensions conforming to andadapted to be entered within recesses in the moldings,-it will beapparent that the idea will be equally embodiedin,forinstance, the formof box represented in Fig.6, in which the extensions both as to depthand width correspond with the depth and width of the body, the box as anentirety being in the form of a Greek cross; and that the same result ofthe prevention of working will be accomplished when a box of such formisappliedin connection with moldings recessed as at d in the mannerrepresented in said Fig. 6, with respect to the interior wire-inclosingrecesses of which the entire extensions are not entered and inclosed.

Obviously the invention,so far as itrclatcs to the prevention of theworking of the joints, is embodied in either the form and mode ofapplication represented in Figs. 4 and 5, or in the form and mode ofapplication rcpresented in Fig. 6, or, in fact, in many other well knownforms of lap or kindred joints of which the box and molding are therespective members.

In any case the moldings are, of course, firmly affixed to the wall orceiling to which they are applied, and the box firmly affixed either tothe wall or ceiling or to portions of the moldings. The fixation is mostconveniently performed by screws.

In the junction box represented in Fig. 7, a modified form of myinvention is represented, in which the body of the box is cylindriformand not quadrangular, the extensions, however, being quadrangular,although they may be of other forms.

The single-branch junction box represented in Figs. 1 and 8 embodies thesame features of extensions for application relatively to the moldings,thatthe double-branch boxes of Figs. 4, 6, '7, 9, and 10, embody, theonly difference being the omission of one of the branch extensions.

The material of which all of the junction boxes represented anddescribed is composed, is preferably metal, and their mechanical. c011-struction such as convenience of manufacture may dictate, although theyare usually made as castings. I with covers a conveniently secured byscrews id, or otherwise if desired; and all of them are provided withthe usual lateral threaded I apertures a for the entrance of the wires,to -which are applied the usual tightening-up All of them are providedthreaded thimbles a which compress the ani nnlar packings a with respectto the apertures and wires, and render the box as an entiretymoisture-proof.

The covers of the boxes are, if desired, provlded with holes throughwhich access may be had to the interior of the boxes, and these IIOholes are provided with screw caps a of any preferred character.

The boxes may be conveniently secured with relation to their moldings byscrews a which pass through their bottoms, as shown in Figs. 1, 9, and10.

Referring now to those features of my invention which are concerned withthe baseblock and the connecting bridge bars, the general idea is toconstruct the base'block with intersecting channels or grooves for therespective main and branch connecting bridge bars, of different depths,in order that the bodies of these bars, while lying completely withinthe channels, may yet respectively lie above and below each other;and,to the same result, to form the connecting bridge bars themselves withend lugs of depth or height greater than the thickness of the bodyportion of the bars, in order that not only may the respective main andbranch bridge bars when reversely disposed as shown in Fig. 3, crosseach other with adequate clearance be tween them, but also that theopenings in the ends of said bars with respect to which the bindingscrews operate for the securing of the ends of the wires, may all occupya practically common level in a plane parallel with the plane of thebottom or top of the box, to the further end that all of the aperturesin the walls of the box through which the main and branch wires pass maybe formed upon a common level, preferably in the same plane, so thatmoldings uniformly recessed may be employed, and, that, in addition, allof said Wires to the extent to which they exist within the box mayoccupy a common plane, and not be bent either upward or downward.

Embodiments of the foregoing construction and relative arrangement ofthe base-block and its connecting bridge bars are especially illustratedin Figs. 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10, and may be described in the followingmannerz- E is a base-block composite of porcelain or other vitreous ornon-conducting substance, to the body proper of which the said letter Eis particularly applied. This block is preferably conformed to theinterior of the junction box within which it is to be mounted, and insingle-branch boxes conveniently possesses the form represented in Figs.1 and 2, while in double-branch boxes it is well made when of the shaperepresented in Figs. 9 and 10.

The block is secured in any preferred manner within thejunction box,conveniently by being provided with sockets 6 Fig. 10, formed in itsunder surface and which are adapted to register with respect to lugs orfillets a springing from the bottom of the junction box,screws a passingthrough the block, being threaded into the lugs, as shown in Fig. 10.

The channeling of the block varies with its character and form, that isto say, in doublebranch blocks the branch channels as well as the mainchannels extend completely across the block, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10,whereas in single-branch blocks the branch channels preferably stopshort of one side of the block, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Of coursewhere there are more or less than two main and two branch wires, thechannels preferably correspond in number and in trend with thenumber ofbridge bars required.

Referring now to the single-branch block shown in Figs. 1 and 2,-c e arethe main channels, or those within which the main connecting bridge barsF F are entered, and e c are the branch channels or those within whichthe branch connecting bridge bars G G are entered.

As will be observed from a reference to Fig. 2, the main channels 6 6traverse the entire length of the block and are conveniently made of auniform depth, approximately, for instance, half that of the block;whereas the branch channel 0 traverses the block to almost its fullbreadth, and to an extent sufticient to causeit to intersect both mainchannels,while the branch channel 6 traverses the block to considerablyless than its full breadth, and to an extent sufficient to cause it tointersect the main channel e alone. It will also be observed that bothbranch channels are of the same depth, approximately, for instance,three-quarters that of the block. It is apparent that ablock oftheforegoingcharacter, (and also of the character represented in Figs. 0and 10,) embodies angularly-disposed or intersecting channels, or setsof channels, which by individual channels, or bysets of channels, arerelatively of different depths.

Good forms of main bridge bars F F and of branch bridge bars G G areshown in Fig. 1 as in place within the block of Fig. 2, and in Fig. 3 asremoved therefrom. It will be observed that each of these bridge bars isformed as a bar of metal, the ends of which are provided with lugs orheels ff g g preferably integral with the body portions of the bars andall of corresponding breadth or depth.

The lugs f f of both ends of the main bridge bars in the arrangementrepresented are provided with longitudinal holes or openingsf f withrespect to which are applied binding screws f. Into these openings areentered the end portions of the main wires B B led into the box asalready explained through the apertures a Both lugs f and both lugs fare of the same depth, and both the bars F F are similarly disposed intheir channels.

The branch bridge bar G is provided with lugs g, and the branch bridgebar GX with lugs g with reference to which the hole 9 in the bar G andthe hole g in the bar G are respectively disposed, the binding screws gserving to secure the ends of the branch wires 0 O when the latter areentered within the holes g 9 As will be observed by referring to Fig. 2,

the branch conductors are disposed with their lugs extending upward, orin the opposite direction to that in which the lugs of the main barsextend.

Connection between the branch bar G and the main bar F is effected byascrew f which passes through the main bar and is threaded into the lugof the branch bar; while similar connection between the branch bar GXand the main bar F is effected by a screw g which passes through themain bar and is threaded into the lug of the branch bar.

It will be observed that the level of the under faces :of the lugs ofthe main bars in the arrangement represented in Fig. 3, is correspondentwith the level of the upper faces of the bodies of the branch bars G Gthe under surfaces of the bodies of said branch bars occupying a lowerlevel or one correspondent with the level of the floors of the branchchan nels in the blocks, whereas the level of the under faces of thelugs of the main bars corresponds with the higherlevel of the floors ofthe main channels.

f g are holes formed through the main and branch bridge bars for screws,by the aid of which these bars may, if desired, be per- Inanently'screwed to the block.

By reason of the relatively opposite or reversed disposition of the mainand branch bridge bars when said bars are disposed within their channelsin the block, a clearance of at least the represented depth of the bodyof a bar is secured between the main bar F and the branch bar G; and byreason, further, of the fact that when the bars are all in place intheir channels in the block, the body of the latter intervenes in everydirection between the respective bars no sliding of the screw driver orother tool employed in the connection or disconnection of the wires withrespect to the bars can bring about such electrical contact as tooccasion short circuiting.

The arrangement of the bridge bars represented in the construction ofFigs. 9 and 10, is essentially identical with that represented in Fig.3, with the exception that the branch channels in the block extendcompletely across it, and that the bodies of the branch bars areextended to the full length of said channels, and at their farextremities are equipped with additional lugs and binding screws.

In the essential particulars of the relatively opposite or reverseddisposition of the bars considered with reference to the direction ofprojection of their lugs, and of the relative depth of the intersectingchannels, the constructions are mechanically identical.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. In a system of electric wiring, comprisingwire-containing moldings and a junction box,a joint between the junctionbox and a molding, formed by a relative counterpart overlap of the boxand molding,substantially as set forth.

2. In a system of electric wiring comprising wire-containing moldingsand a junction box,a joint between a junction box and a molding, formedby the combination of abox formed with a lateral extension with a molding provided with an end recess conformed to said extension,substantially as set forth.

3. A junction box formed with lateral extensions of its body portion,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. A junction box formed with lateral extensions of its bed )ortion incombination with moldings formed withend recesses adapted to saidextensions, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In combination with a junction box having lateral apertures for theentrance of electric conductors, a base-block provided with intersectingchannels of relatively different depths, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In combination with a junction box having lateral apertures for theentrance of electrioconductors,electric'conductors,abaseblock providedwith intersecting channels of relatively different depths,and connectingbridge bars formed with heels, reversely disposed within said channelssubstantially in the manner described, and connected with the electricconductors,-substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

7. In combination with a base block for a junction box formed withintersecting channels of relatively different depths, intersectingconnecting bridge bars formed with heels and respectively reverselydisposed within said channels, substantially as and for the V purposesset forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name this 21st day of December,A. D. 1892.

EDYVARD J. MCEVOY.

lVitnesses:

J BONSALL TAYLOR, Wu. C. STRAWBRIDGE.

